1862 February 27 Centreville, Va.

[The stationery for this letter, dated 27 Feb. 1862, is preprinted with ”Confederate States of American,” a cannon, a Confederate flag, and a patriotic verse.]

Centreville Feb. 27th 1862.
My Dear Father
Today the usual
repose of our camp has been
interrupted by rumors, and
orders which strongly fore-
shadow movements of stirring
interest, and importance.
Several regiments encamped
near this place have moved
off toward Leesburg and sev-
eral more our own included
have orders to dispatch im-
mediately to the rear their
heavy baggage, and retain

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only such articles as may be
readily transported on their
backs. Some say that we
are destined to meet a large
column of the enemy which
is forcing itself down the Valley,
and others that our precautions
are only those preceeding a
general evacuation of this post.
I Confess my inability to
understand the policy about
to be pursued, and calmly
await the events of importuning [?] which
are evidently about to trans-
pire. I cannot however for
a moment credit the statement
that we will fall back to a
position in the interior.
Our men are generally in
good spirits, and ready

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for what ever emergency they
may be called upon to meet.
On yesterday I informed
you of the interruption I
had met with in recruiting
in this division of the army
and to day I decided upon
the plan proper for me to
pursue. After consulting
with Capt. Latham and
other friendly officers I
determined to address a
respectful communication
to Genl. Johnston appealing
for the removal of the restrict-
tion imposed illegally by
Genl. Longstreet and enclo-
sing him all the papers
in which are necessary for
him to come to an important
judgement.

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This paper will be regularly
forwarded through the usual
military channels, and all
pass through the hands of
Genl. L. It cannot be
long detained and I shall
expect an answer every day.
I am thoroughly convinced
that I have right, and
law on my side and
shall not therefore surrender
my point until every means
for securing what I am
entitled to is exhausted.
As soon as I receive a reply
I will communicate to you the
result. I am at least out
of reach of arrest, or any
other act of the Genls. displeas-
ure. With much love I remain
Your Affec. Son
John W. Daniel.

John Warwick Daniel,1842-1910, disabled in the Battle of the Wilderness, later a University of Virginia law graduate, U. S. Senator and famous orator, known as the "Lame Lion of Lynchburg."

[Transcripiton by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 158